Alternator Brushes

[88bmwjeff]

I think I got good use out of my alternator brushes--and then some. I knew they were somewhat worn and needed to be replaced. I was a bit lazy and I had no issues with charging, so I kept putting it off. Since I'm in the middle of replacing the timing chain, I went ahead and replaced the brushes. The new brushes are 17mm. My old brushes were 10mm and 12mm. Clymer has the minimum spec at 8mm, so they weren't quite at the end of their life, but their days were numbered. I won't know how things work for a while since I'm doing a few maintenance projects over the winter and this is only one of them.

 

[beemeruss]

. The new brushes are 17mm. My old brushes were 10mm and 12mm. Clymer has the minimum spec at 8mm, so they weren't quite at the end of their life, but their days were numbered.

I would say that you got your money's worth. When they get that short they tend to cock sideways a little, bind in their square bores, and wear at a rapidly increased rate. Good catch! Did you install the plain ones or upgrade to the ones with the eyelets? That is my plan for my next set.

Russ

 

[88bmwjeff]

I would say that you got your money's worth. When they get that short they tend to cock sideways a little, bind in their square bores, and wear at a rapidly increased rate. Good catch! Did you install the plain ones or upgrade to the ones with the eyelets? That is my plan for my next set.

Russ

Although I already had the ones that need to be soldered, I decided to get the ones with the eyelets. It was real quick and easy. I used some flush snips to cut off the old brushes. On a side note, I don’t understand why the ones that need to be soldered do not have any insulation on the wires.